Kiersten’s Ride was born out of profound loss and heartbreak. In 2012, the Northern Michigan community faced an unimaginable tragedy with the suicide of 17-year-old Kiersten Clavier. Her death left her family, friends, and the larger community grappling with feelings of sorrow and helplessness. However, in the face of this devastating loss, a powerful and positive response emerged—Kiersten’s Ride. What started as a response to a personal loss quickly grew into a movement focused on suicide prevention, education, and support. This organization is built on the principles of love and hope, which aims to make a difference by providing tools and resources to save lives.
The vision behind Kiersten’s Ride is simple yet profound: to contribute to a community that is aware, educated and supported with community members that are safer from suicide. One of the primary goals of the organization was to address the lack of access to evidence-based suicide prevention training in Northern Michigan. The region, often geographically isolated, and financially conflicted, had very limited opportunities for community members to receive critical training. Training needed to be available on how to recognize, intervene, and prevent suicides. Kiersten’s Ride sought to change that by eliminating barriers and making this training more accessible to the people who needed it most, the entire community.
Kiersten’s Ride provides various educational programs aimed at increasing suicide awareness and intervention skills. The core of these programs includes the two-day Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training (ASIST), a half-day safeTALK alertness training, and Yellow Ribbon Youth Prevention education. These programs are offered to many different segments of the community, from local school systems, individuals, businesses and healthcare providers, ensuring that suicide prevention is incorporated into multiple layers of support. The focus is not only on raising awareness but on equipping individuals with the tools and knowledge they need to make a difference when it matters most.
Before the founding of Kiersten’s Ride, many in the Northern Michigan area lacked access to resources on how to deal with the difficult topic of suicide. The organization's commitment to education has helped break the silence surrounding this issue. By providing these vital training opportunities, Kiersten’s Ride empowers community members to recognize warning signs, ask the right questions, and offer the necessary support to those in crisis. The initiative is about creating a culture of openness, where conversations about mental health and suicide are no longer taboo but rather seen as essential to saving lives.
Since its inception, Kiersten’s Ride has facilitated three professional conferences, over 200 safeTALK and ASIST programs, reaching thousands of community members. The organization also extends its efforts beyond training, providing outreach and direct support to those who have experienced a loss to suicide. Kiersten’s Ride offers a monthly grief support group to help individuals navigate the complex emotions that accompany such a loss. This support not only promotes healing but fosters a sense of community for those left behind, ensuring they don’t have to go through their pain alone.
At the heart of Kiersten’s Ride is a small but dedicated group of volunteers who believe in the importance of their mission. These volunteers come from diverse backgrounds but share a common commitment to making their community safer and more informed when it comes to suicide prevention. The focus of help, hope, and healing shines through in all its initiatives, offering a message of hope. Resources are always available to those who may feel isolated or helpless in the face of their struggles.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, Kiersten’s Ride continues to grow and make a tangible difference in Northern Michigan. Its work exemplifies the power of turning personal tragedy into a source of hope for others. Through education, support, and connection, Kiersten’s Ride is not only honoring the memory of Kiersten, but also helping to save lives and foster a community that is stronger and more resilient in the fight against suicide.
If you have not attended training yet, please consider doing so. You can find more information at www.kierstensride.org.
Together, we can make a difference!